Hotel Chocolat.

This winter my fair city was blessed with a shiny new Hotel Chocolat. About time!

It's only a tiny shop, but the contents are just as exciting as you'd expect. A bit pricier than your average confectionary elsewhere, but you get what you pay for. This stuff seriously delivers.

I was given a christmas selection box and a pack of milk chocolate reindeers. The selection box was full of weird and wonderful treats, orange truffles with candied orange segments, salted caramel, hazelnut pralines, christmas cake flavoured fudge, eton mess truffles, mulled wine orbs, you name it. Some of the alcoholic pieces were lethal! They came with a tiny leaflet depitcting different levels of alcohol and I got a shock as I tried one of the lesser chocs because it was so strong. Great stuff. The white chocolate and vanilla bell was beautiful. Such a great gift for anyone who is adverturous with their chocolate.

 

 

Now, the milk chocolate reindeer. My usual choice would be plain milk chocolate, so I was really pleased about these. I love their milk chocolate, it is heavenly and so it is probably best that they only do packs of eight (which is more than enough!) as I could eat a truck load.

 

 

 

Hotel Chocolat are brilliant for gifts as they are luxurious and are always interesting.

They have something for everyone whether it is their affordable tablets of various flavours or their range of selection boxes from classic to adventurous.

Welcome to Wales, Hotel Chocolat.

 

Here's a link to their website.

 

xoxo 



Hibiscus Blend.

Starbucks Hibiscus Blend Tea.

Hibiscus flowers, lemongrass, rose hips, mango and passion fruit.

I'm in love.

xoxo

 

MAC 'All For Glamour' Touch Up Kit.

I've recently started using this make up set I was given for Christmas and I thought it time to share it with you. It's very girly and not usually something I would buy for myself, however it is a lovely gift set and the colour palette is perfect for me. As far as I know this touch-up kit is from their All For Glamour range, launched over the festive season and comes in various shades (mine is 'Medium'). It features a daywear lipstick and pressed powder. I'm such a novice when it comes to lipstick and I have made some rookie mistakes mostly through colour choices. I'm what I'd class a 'natural beauty' in the sense that whether I wear make up or not you can rarely see much difference. Perhaps intensifying my features isn't my strong point and it has taken me two and a half decades to learn that a delicate application is enough to enhance my chubby chops.

 

The Blot Powder is ideal for those lunch break touch ups (handy little mirror). The applicator puff is a little awkward as I find that it takes quite a few goes to get a liberal covering across my T-zone and chin. I suggest you do not go for a sweeping action with this, as it will smear your puff with your carefully applied foundation! However, on a lazy day when I don't feel like wearing much make up I can apply this powder on my bare skin after my moisturiser has dried and I get really good coverage.

(I wonder if it is designed to it only works well with a MAC foundy?)

 

The Sheen Supreme Lipstick comes in their strangely dubbed 'Fashion City' shade and this is the star of the show for me for the colour alone. It's a very natural shade with a hint of coral. Barely there with a good shine. Sadly if you have dry or chapped lips not only does this product do nothing for you, it actually accentuates any problem areas making them stand out. I highly recommend a little lip prepping before you try this style of lipstick. I usually brush my lips (softly!) with my toothbrush after I brush my teeth and then apply liberal amounts of lip balm. By the time I have walked to work my lip balm has sunk in leaving my lips soft and moisturised. This is the best time for me to get my lippy out.

(Does anyone have any other tips?)

 

The case is really good quality and comes with a fitted mirror. It's heavier than I expected and the lilac quilted silk top is beautiful.

 

Overall, this is a handy product and I can't deny I have grown to use it on a regular basis. But for the money (£30) I think I could find products of the same calibre and walk away with some change.

 

The All For Glamour Touch-Up Kit is only in stock in Medium-Dark and Dark at the moment, but here's a link to their page to check for stock (you can find them under 'Face Kits'). link!

 

xoxo

 

 

I look a bit daft here, but here's a shot of what this stuff can do...

 



New Year Resolution

I think I want to learn to play the guitar. I've found a fair price on an acoustic model and there seems to be plenty of tutors in the area to get me started. I've always written poems and sung ditties here and there. It sounds like fun. I'll keep you posted.

xoxo